Moisture control system

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes moisture channeling member for removing moisture from the interior cavity of a surface facing system. The moisture channeling member includes a channel portion having a channel with an upper end, a lower end and a surface capable of conveying liquid. The channel is inclined at an angle with respect to level sufficient to facilitate flow of liquid from the upper end to the lower end. The channel portion is in fluid communication with an interior cavity of a surface facing system. A drainage portion is in fluid communication with the channel portion. The drainage portion is capable of consolidating and diverting moisture received from the channel portion and conveying the received moisture to an exterior area of the surface facing system.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to moisture control systems forcontrolling moisture in surface facing systems on building structures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Surface facings or cladding, such as stone veneer, stucco and bricksuffer from the drawback that moisture may be present in an interiorarea of the wall system. This moisture may originate from a variety ofsources, including leakage through damage to the surface facing,condensation within the interior area or incidental moisture presentfrom the building materials making up the wall system. Damage to surfacefacing material may occur with little or no warning, causing moistureintrusion. Condensation may form on the rear or backside of surfacingmaterials or other surfaces within the interior wall space. Undercertain atmospheric conditions, water can condense on the backside ofthe panels even where there is no compromise of the surface facing. Theextent of condensation varies with the geographical location of thestructure, the type of surface facing and/or building materials used,and the amount and temperature of the air infiltration into the interiorspace of the wall. Condensation may form when the airspace within theinterior space of the wall reaches 100% relative humidity and thesurfaces within the airspace begin to cool. Building materials used forsurface facing and construction of walls may contain varying amounts ofincidental moisture, resulting from moisture present in the materials orused in the application of the materials. This incidental moisture mayflow into the interior space of the wall or may contribute to thehumidity of the air present in the interior space of the wall,eventually contributing to possible condensation. If excess moisture ispresent within the wall from any or a combination of the above and/orthe moisture is permitted to pool within the interior space of the wall,the presence of this moisture may lead to interior damage to the wallstructure and/or building and promote the presence of pests, moldgrowth, mildew growth or rotting of the building materials. Pests mayinclude insects, rodents or other undesirable living things.

Some attempts to control the moisture within the interior space of thewall have included devices or wall treatments that are inserted withinthe interior wall space to facilitate flow of moisture to the bottom ofthe wall. These systems suffer from the drawback that the moisturecontrol devices force the surface facings to terminate at thebuilding/foundation interface in order to allow the moisture to exitfrom the inside of the surface facing. The termination of the facing atthe building/foundation interface in not aesthetically pleasing, becausethe termination provides a gap at the base of the wall at the foundationof the building/structure exposes a non-desirable facing material. Inaddition, these systems only flow the moisture in the direction ofgravity, wherein moisture may still pool in the interior spaces of thewall, especially at the lower portions of the wall at or near theinterface between the interior wall structure and the foundation.

Another attempt to control moisture in wall systems having surfacefacing includes structures that are installed at the base of the surfacecladding material, typically at or near the interface of the structurefoundation and the wall structure, horizontally along the perimeter ofthe structure optionally including weep holes to permit the gatheredmoisture to drain downward. The horizontal installation is aninstallation that is substantially perpendicular to the direction ofgravity. This approach suffers from the drawback that the horizontalinstallation allows pooling of the moisture, particularly between anyweep holes, if present. The pooling of moisture promotes the presence ofpests, mold, mildew and rotting of the building materials. In addition,these structures are visible for the entire perimeter of the house,which is aesthetically undesirable. In addition, it is undesirable toapply surface facing below this moisture control structure because thepresence of surface facing would hinder the drainage of moisture and/orwould undesirably be in contact with moisture.

What is needed is a moisture control system for removing moisture frominterior areas of wall systems that permits application of surfacefacing directly to the foundation below the point of drainage,substantially prevents the pooling of moisture within the wall structureand does not suffer from the drawbacks of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes moisture channeling member for removingmoisture from the interior cavity of a surface facing system. Themoisture channeling member includes a channel portion having a channelwith an upper end, a lower end and a surface capable of conveyingliquid. The channel is inclined at an angle with respect to levelsufficient to facilitate flow of liquid from the upper end to the lowerend. The channel portion is in fluid communication with an interiorcavity of a surface facing system. A drainage portion is in fluidcommunication with the channel portion. The drainage portion is capableof consolidating and diverting moisture received from the channelportion and conveying the received moisture to an exterior area of thesurface facing system.

The present invention further includes an embodiment including a wallsystem having a building structure comprising an interior wall structuredisposed on a foundation portion. A surface facing, such as stucco,brick veneer, natural brick, stone veneer, natural stone, orcombinations thereof, is present on a surface of the building wallstructure. An interior cavity is formed between the building structureand the surface facing. A moisture channeling member is attached to theinterior wall structure or foundation and is in fluid communication withthe interior cavity. The moisture channeling member includes a channelportion having a channel with an upper end, a lower end and a surfacecapable of conveying liquid. The channel is inclined at an angle withrespect to level sufficient to facilitate flow of liquid from the upperend to the lower end. The channel portion is in fluid communication withthe interior cavity of a surface facing system. A drainage portion is influid communication with the channel portion. The drainage portion iscapable of consolidating and diverting moisture received from thechannel portion and conveying the received moisture to an exterior areaof the surface facing system.

The present invention further includes an embodiment including a methodfor applying a surface facing system to a building structure. The methodincludes providing a building structure having an interior wallstructure disposed on a foundation portion. A moisture channeling memberis attached to the wall structure. The moisture channeling memberincludes a channel portion having a channel with an upper end, a lowerend and a surface capable of conveying liquid. The channel is inclinedat an angle with respect to level sufficient to facilitate flow ofliquid from the upper end to the lower end. A drainage portion is influid communication with the channel portion. A surface facing materialis applied to a surface of the building structure and the moisturechanneling member. The surface facing material is applied so that aninterior cavity is formed between the building structure and the surfacefacing. The channel portion is in fluid communication with an interiorcavity of a surface facing system. The drainage portion is capable ofconsolidating and diverting moisture received from the channel portionand conveying the received moisture to an exterior area of the surfacefacing system.

The moisture channeling member, according to the present invention, mayalso include a moisture drainage system that extends for at least aportion of the interior cavity inside the wall. The moisture drainagesystem allows moisture present inside the wall to flow in the directionof gravity to the lower portion of the wall, to a drainage portion andfrom the interior of the surface facing. The moisture drainage systemmay be any structure that permits the flow of water, including dimpledmaterials, wicking material, hydrophobic materials, materials withinterdispersed air pockets, materials having corrugated channels, or anyother suitable structures. The wall system may be attached to orseparate from the moisture channeling member near the wall/foundationinterface. Likewise, the moisture drainage system may be fabricated fromthe same or different material than the channeling member near thewall/foundation interface.

The invention has the advantage that the relatively small size of thedrainage portion allows stucco, brick or stone veneer to be installedfurther down the wall and on the exposed portion of the foundation.Because the drainage portion has a small profile along the surface ofthe building structure, the facing (e.g. stone veneer) may be applieddirectly to the foundation material. This provides a continuous facingfrom the wall to the foundation, providing an aesthetically pleasinglook with no gaps exposing undesirable foundation material.

The invention may be applied to any surface facing system requiringmoisture drainage and is subject to moisture pooling due to terminationof moisture flowing from inside a surface facing.

One advantage of the present invention is that the drainage channels ofthe moisture control device, according to the present invention, areinclined to utilize gravity to facilitate flow to prevent pooling, whichreduces the amount of mold growth, mildew growth, rot and/or thepresence of pests.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the positioning ofthe moisture channeling member, according to the present invention,permits the direct application of surface facing on the foundationportion of a wall because the moisture is directed to a drainageportion, which conveys the moisture to a location exterior to the wallsystem.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following more detailed description of the preferredembodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings whichillustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a cutaway side-view of a known wall system.

FIG. 2 shows a cutaway side-view of a wall system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a cutaway front-view of a wall system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of wall system 200 according to anembodiment of the present invention taken along the lines 4-4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of a wall system according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of a wall system, including a window,according to another embodiment of the invention.

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughoutthe drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a wall system having a known moisture drainage system. Thewall system 100 includes an interior wall structure 101 disposed on afoundation 103. An interior cavity 105 is present between the interiorwall structure 101 and a metal lath 107. The metal lath 107 may bepresent as a base for plaster or adhesive application, onto which asurface facing 109 may be applied. The surface facing 109 is applied tothe metal lath 107. The surface facing 109 and metal lath 107 extendalong the surface of the interior wall structure 101, but terminate atthe interface 111 between the foundation 103 and the interior wallstructure 101. Moisture formed or present in the interior cavity 105flows in the direction of gravity toward the interface 111. The flow ofmoisture is shown in FIG. 1 as flow 113. The moisture is removed fromthe interior cavity 105 through the bottom of the interior cavity 105and out of the wall system 100. This system suffers from the drawbackthat at least a portion of the foundation surface 115 is undesirablyvisible. In addition, the interior cavity 105 and any moisture drainagesystem present therein is exposed to weather conditions, allowingmoisture to infiltrate into the interior cavity 105. Such infiltrationmay occur, for example, during wind gusts, rainstorms (e.g., stormwater), or during other weather events. The opening at the bottom of thewall system 100 may also undesirably allow pests to enter the interiorcavity 105 and any moisture drainage system present.

FIG. 2 shows a cutaway side view of a wall system 200 having a moisturechanneling member 215 according to an embodiment of the invention. Thewall system 200 includes an interior wall structure 201 disposed on afoundation 203. The interior wall structure 201 includes, but is notlimited to, wood or metal studs, and/or other wall building materials.The foundation 203 is the structure onto which the building structurerests and may include, but is not limited to, cement castings, masonryblocks or other suitable foundation building materials. An optional feltmaterial (not shown), such as tar-paper, plastic reinforced membrane orother sealing material may be applied to the interior wall structure201. In addition, a flashing material (not shown) may be applied to theinterior wall structure 201 to provide addition protection againstmoisture. An interior cavity 205 is present between the interior wallstructure 101 and a metal lath 207. While the interior cavity 205 may bean airspace, the interior cavity 205 may include any known moisturedrainage system to facilitate flow of moisture in the direction ofgravity along the surface of the interior wall structure 201. Examplesof moisture drainage systems include, but are not limited to, dimpledmaterials, wicking materials, hydrophobic materials, materials havinginterdispersed air pockets, and materials having corrugated channels.The metal lath 207 may be present as a base for plaster or adhesiveapplication, onto which a surface facing 209 may be applied. AlthoughFIGS. 1-2 and 5 show a metal lath 207, any suitable base may be presentfor installation of the facing material.

Surface facing 209 is installed on the metal lath 207 using plaster,adhesive or any other known installation technique. Suitable surfacefacings 209 for use with the present invention include any suitablecladding material for building structures, including, but are notlimited to, stucco, brick veneer, natural brick, stone veneer, naturalstone, or combinations thereof. The moisture channeling member 215,according to the present invention, may also be suitable for any wallsystem undesirably having moisture present on an interior surface or inan interior space.

Moisture, if present, flows in the direction of gravity down theinterior cavity 205 toward the interface 211 between the foundation 203and the interior wall structure 201 to the moisture channeling member215. The flow of moisture is shown in FIG. 2 as flow 213. Moisture istypically water formed from condensation, from atmospheric precipitationthat penetrates the surface facing or from moisture present in thebuilding materials. Although moisture is described as liquid water,other liquid materials and/or debris may also be contained in moisture.The moisture channeling member 215 includes a channel portion 217 and adrainage portion 219. The moisture control channel 215 may be fabricatedfrom any suitable material, including but not limited to lightweightand/or flexible metallic or polymeric materials. One suitable materialincludes galvanized steel. The channel portion 217 is in fluidcommunication with the interior cavity 205 and any moisture drainagesystem disposed therein. The channel portion 217 includes one or morechannels that are inclined at an angle with respect to level. Level asused herein means a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity.The angle of incline from level is any angle that is sufficient tofacilitate flow 213 of moisture to the drainage portion 219. Suitableinclines include about 1/16 inch per foot to about ⅛ inch per foot. Thesurface of the channel portion 217 may include any geometry that iscapable of receiving moisture from the interior cavity 205 and/or themoisture control system and conveying the moisture along a surface ofthe channel. Suitable geometries for the surface of the channelincludes, but are not limited to, cross-sections that are rounded orangled. For example, the channel surface may have a V-shape or besemi-circular.

Once the moisture from the channel portion 217 enters the drainageportion 219, the moisture is consolidated and diverted, which is shownas flow 213 in FIG. 2. Consolidated, as used herein, means that themoisture flows are combined into a single flow that may be conveyed toan exterior area. Diverted, as used herein, means that flow changesdirections from the direction in which the moisture was flowing in thechannel portion. The drainage portion 219 has a length sufficient toremove moisture from the interior cavity 205 of the wall system. Thedrainage portion 219 is preferably inclined at an angle with respect tolevel in order to assist in the flow of moisture out of the interiorcavity 205. In addition, the drainage portion 219 has any suitablegeometry that permits the flow of moisture through the surface facing209 to an exterior area of the wall system 200. The exterior area of thewall system 200 is an area outside the wall system in which moisture maybe absorbed or otherwise removed so that it does not damage the wallsystem or the building structure. The exterior area is preferably anoutdoor area exposed to atmospheric conditions and may include soil,cement, asphalt or other ground material surrounding the buildingstructure. Although the exterior area is preferably an outdoor area, theexterior area may include locations interior to the building structurethat are capable of controlling and/or removing moisture. For examplethe drainage portion 219 of the moisture control member 215 mayfacilitate flow to a sump or drain that may be in an interior area ofthe building structure. The drainage portion 219 preferably has acircular, semicircular, rounded, or angled cross-section. The drainageportion 219 may further include a screening device (not shown) having astructure that substantially prevents the infiltration of pests into theinterior cavity 205, while simultaneously permitting flow of moisturefrom the interior cavity 205. The screening material is preferably ametal or polymer screen with a mesh size sufficient to prevent theinfiltration of pests, such as rodents, insects or other undesirableliving things. In addition, the mesh must be sufficiently large so thatfluid (i.e., the moisture) may exit the interior cavity 205substantially without difficulty. The drainage portion 219 may furtherinclude structures or geometry that facilitate the flow from theinterior cavity 205, including but not limited to a crimped structure(i.e., a structure having folds or ridges), slots or grooves tosubstantially prevent wicking and or undesirable infiltration ofmoisture backwards into the interior cavity 205.

FIG. 3 shows a cutaway front view of the wall system 200 shown in FIG.2, illustrating the flow 213 of moisture within the interior cavity 205of the wall system. As shown in FIG. 3, the moisture channeling member215 is disposed at or near the interface 211 between the interior wallstructure 201 and the foundation 203. In a preferred embodiment, thedrainage portion 219 extends below the interface 211. As shown in FIG.3, a plurality of moisture channeling members 215 may be utilized todrain moisture from a larger wall system. In addition, the moisturechanneling member 215 may be shortened or provided with a single channelin the channel portion 217 in order to be customized to the particularwall system, including wall systems 200 of differing sizes orgeometries. In addition, moisture channeling members 215 may befabricated with a suitable geometry (e.g., shortened or lengthened) todrain moisture from corners or other wall features.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of wall system 200 taken along thelines 4-4 in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 shows the moisture channeling member 215present between the interior wall structure 201 and the metal lath 207base for the surface facing 209. The moisture channeling member 215collects moisture along the surface of the interior wall portion 201 inthe channel portion 217 and conveys the moisture to the drainage portion219. The moisture is then consolidated and diverted, as shown as flow213, from the wall to an exterior area of the wall system 200. AlthoughFIG. 4 shows a substantially linear wall system 200, the moisturechanneling member 200 may be installed on wall systems 200 havingsurface features or curved walls. In one embodiment of the invention,the moisture channeling member 215 may be fabricated from a flexiblemetallic or polymer material that may be attached to the interior wallstructure 201, including curves or features present on the interior wallstructure 201.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of a wall system 200 according to anembodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 shows the surface facing 209 isapplied to a surface of the interior wall structure 201 and a surface ofthe foundation 203. At the interface 211 of the interior wall structure201 and the foundation 203, the moisture channeling member 215 (shown inbroken lines) is positioned so that the channel portion 217 is hiddenfrom view behind the surface facing 209 and the drainage portion 219 isonly visible for a small area along the face of the building structure.The small area may be an area disposed in a mortar area in stone, brick,stone veneer, or brick veneer surface facing 209 systems to furtherdecrease the visibility of the drainage portion 219, as shown in FIG. 5,or may extend through any location along the surface facing 209, as maybe provided in stucco surface facing 209.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the invention wherein the moisturechanneling member 215 is installed over a window. FIG. 6 shows thesurface facing is applied to the surface of the interior wall structure201 and the surface of the foundation 203. At the interface 211 of theinterior wall structure 201 and the foundation 203, the moisturechanneling member 215 (shown in broken lines) is located so that thechannel portion 217 is hidden from view behind the surface facing 209and the drainage portion 219 is only visible for a small area along theface of the building structure. A window 601 is disposed within the wallsystem 200 shown in FIG. 6. In order to facilitate moistureconsolidation and diversion above the window 601, a moisture channelingmember 215 is positioned above the window 601 to channel the moisture toa drainage portion 219, which allows the moisture to flow to an exteriorarea of the wall system 200. Although FIG. 6 illustrates a channelportion 217 having two channels and a single drainage portion 219, themoisture channeling member 215 positioned above the window may include asingle channel with a drainage portion 219 or a plurality of moisturechanneling members 215 having one or more channels and one or moredrainage portions 219. The moisture channeling member 215 may also bedisposed such that the drainage portions do not interfere with the useof the window. In an alternate embodiment, inclined channels may beprovided above the window 601 in order to direct moisture away from thetop of the window, allowing the moisture to travel down the interiorcavity 205 and to the moisture channeling members 216 disposed at ornear the interface of the interior wall structure 201 and the foundation203.

The present invention further includes an embodiment including a methodfor applying a surface facing to a building structure. The methodaccording to the present invention includes providing a buildingstructure having an interior wall structure 201 disposed on a foundation203. The wall structure preferably includes wood or metal framing,optionally covered in flashing and/or sealing felt material.

A moisture channeling member 215 is then attached to the interior wallstructure 201 at or near the interface 211 between the interior wallstructure 201 and the foundation 203. The attachment may be accomplishedby any suitable means, including nailing, screwing or adhering withadhesive the moisture channeling member 215. The channel portion 217preferably includes a substantially planar mounting portion thatprovides surface suitable for nailing or screwing into the interior wallstructure 201. The attachment of the moisture channeling member 215 ispreferably level (i.e., perpendicular to the direction of gravity).Further, the moisture channeling member 215 is preferably positionedsuch that the drainage portion 219 is positioned below the interface211. The moisture channeling member 215 may be attached so that thechannel portion 217 includes channels inclined at a sufficient angle tofacilitate flow of moisture to the drainage portion 219, whichsubstantially perpendicularly conveys the moisture to an area exteriorto the wall system 200.

Once the moisture channeling device 215 is attached, an interior cavity205 is formed and, if desired, a moisture drainage system is installed.In one embodiment, a metal lath 207 is applied to the interior wallstructure 201 in a manner that forms an interior cavity 205. Formationof the interior cavity 205 may be accomplished by spacing the metal lath207 from the interior wall structure 201 or by providing a metal lath207 that forms an interior cavity 205 once the surface facing 209 isapplied, or by another suitable technique. In another embodiment, thefelt and/or flashing are applied in a manner that provides an interiorcavity 205 when the metal lath 207 and/or surface facing are installed.In another embodiment, a moisture drainage system may be applied tofacilitate flow of moisture in the direction of gravity. For example, apolymer sheet having surface features that may form air pockets orspaces that may be applied to the internal wall structure 201 in orderto provide a structure to maintain the interior cavity 205 and tofacilitate flow of moisture in the direction of gravity toward thebottom of the wall, and the moisture channeling members 215. In order toclad the surface of the foundation with surface facing 209, metal lath207 is also applied to the foundation 203 for application of the surfacefacing 209 material.

Once the interior cavity 205 is formed and the metal lath 207 has beenapplied to the internal wall structure 201 and the foundation 203, asurface facing 209 material is applied to the metal lath 207. Thesurface facing 209 may be applied by any suitable technique known in theart. The surface facing 209 is applied such that substantially theentire channel portion 217 is hidden from view and the drainage portion219 of the moisture channeling member 215 is exposed and is capable ofconsolidating and diverting moisture flow from the interior cavity 205to an exterior area of the wall system 200.

Although the above has been described with respect to wall systems 200,the moisture channeling member 215 may also be utilized in othermoisture control systems that require the removal of moisture frominternal cavities.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferredembodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the inventionnot be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the inventionwill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appendedclaims.

1. A moisture channeling member comprising: a channel portion comprisinga channel having an upper end, a lower end and a surface capable ofconveying liquid, the channel being inclined at an angle with respect tolevel sufficient to facilitate flow of liquid from the upper end to thelower end, the channel portion being in fluid communication with aninterior cavity of a surface facing system; and a drainage portion beingin fluid communication with the channel portion, the drainage portionbeing capable of consolidating and diverting moisture received from thechannel portion, the drainage portion further being capable of conveyingmoisture received from the channel portion to an exterior area of thesurface facing system.
 2. The moisture channeling member of claim 1,further comprising a moisture drainage system disposed in the interiorcavity to facilitate drainage of moisture, the moisture drainage systembeing arranged and disposed to facilitate moisture flow from theinterior cavity to the moisture channeling member.
 3. The moisturechanneling member of claim 1, wherein the drainage portion includes ascreening device having a structure that substantially prevents theinfiltration of pests into the interior cavity, and permitting flow ofmoisture from the interior cavity.
 4. The moisture channeling member ofclaim 1, wherein the drainage portion has a cross-sectional geometryselected from the group consisting of angled, rounded, and combinationsthereof.
 5. The moisture channeling member of claim 1, wherein thedrainage portion comprises a crimped structure to further control theflow of moisture as moisture is conveyed to the exterior area.
 6. Themoisture channeling member of claim 1, wherein the drainage portion isinclined at an angle with respect to level sufficient to facilitate flowfrom the channel portion.
 7. The moisture channeling member of claim 1,wherein the channel portion comprises a plurality of the channels. 8.The moisture channeling member of claim 1, wherein a surface of thechannel portion includes a cross-sectional geometry selected from thegroup consisting of rounded, angular and combinations thereof.
 9. A wallsystem comprising: a building structure comprising an interior wallstructure disposed on a foundation; a surface facing disposed on asurface of the building wall structure, wherein an interior cavity isformed between the building structure and the surface facing, thesurface facing, building structure and interior cavity forming a surfacefacing system; a moisture channeling member in fluid communication withthe interior cavity, the moisture channeling member comprising: achannel portion comprising a channel having an upper end, a lower endand a surface capable of conveying liquid, the channel being inclined atan angle with respect to level sufficient to facilitate flow of liquidfrom the upper end to the lower end, the channel portion being in fluidcommunication with the interior cavity; and a drainage portion being influid communication with the channel portion, the drainage portion beingcapable of consolidating and diverting moisture received from thechannel portion, the drainage portion further being capable of conveyingthe moisture received from the channel portion to an exterior area ofthe surface facing system.
 10. The wall system of claim 9 furthercomprising a moisture drainage system disposed within the interiorcavity to facilitate drainage of moisture from the interior cavity, themoisture drainage system being arranged and disposed to facilitatemoisture flow from the interior cavity to the moisture channelingmember.
 11. The wall system of claim 9, wherein the surface facingcomprises at least one facing material selected from the groupconsisting of stucco, brick veneer, natural brick, stone veneer, naturalstone, or combinations thereof.
 12. The wall system of claim 9, whereinthe drainage portion includes a screening device having a structure thatsubstantially prevents the infiltration of pests into the interiorcavity, and permitting flow of moisture from the interior cavity. 13.The wall system of claim 9, wherein the drainage portion has across-sectional geometry selected from the group consisting of angled,rounded, and combinations thereof.
 14. The wall system of claim 9,wherein the drainage portion comprises a crimped structure to furthercontrol the flow of moisture as moisture is conveyed to the exteriorarea
 15. The wall system of claim 9, wherein the drainage portion isinclined at an angle with respect to level sufficient to facilitate flowfrom the channel portion.
 16. The wall system of claim 9, wherein thechannel portion comprises a plurality of the channels.
 17. The wallsystem of claim 9, wherein a surface of the channel portion includes across-sectional geometry selected from the group consisting of rounded,angular and combinations thereof
 18. A method for applying a surfacefacing system to a building structure comprising: providing a buildingstructure comprising an interior wall structure disposed on afoundation; attaching a moisture channeling member to the interior wallstructure or foundation, the moisture channeling member comprising: achannel portion comprising a channel having an upper end, a lower endand a surface capable of conveying liquid, the channel being inclined atan angle with respect to level sufficient to facilitate flow of liquidfrom the upper end to the lower end; and a drainage portion being influid communication with the channel portion, the drainage portion beingcapable of consolidating and diverting moisture received from thechannel portio; applying a surface facing material to a surface of thebuilding structure and the moisture channeling member to form a surfacefacing system, the surface facing material including an interior cavityformed between the building structure and the surface facing, thechannel portion being in fluid communication with the interior cavity;and wherein the drainage portion further being capable of conveying themoisture received from the channel portion to an exterior area of thesurface facing system.
 19. The wall system of claim 18 furthercomprising a moisture drainage system to facilitate drainage of moisturefrom the interior cavity, the moisture drainage system being arrangedand disposed to facilitate moisture flow from the interior cavity to themoisture channeling member.
 20. The wall system of claim 18, wherein thesurface facing comprises at least one facing material selected from thegroup consisting of stucco, brick veneer, natural brick, stone veneer,natural stone, or combinations thereof.
 21. The moisture control systemof claim 18, wherein the drainage portion includes a screening devicehaving a structure that substantially prevents the infiltration of pestsinto the interior cavity, and permitting flow of moisture from theinterior cavity.
 22. The moisture control system of claim 18, whereinthe drainage portion has a cross-sectional geometry selected from thegroup consisting of angled, rounded, and combinations thereof.
 23. Themoisture control system of claim 18, wherein the drainage portioncomprises a crimped structure to further control the flow of moisture asmoisture is conveyed to the exterior area
 24. The moisture controlsystem of claim 18, wherein the drainage portion is inclined at an anglewith respect to level sufficient to facilitate flow from the channelportion.
 25. The moisture control system of claim 18, wherein thechannel portion comprises a plurality of the channels.
 26. The moisturecontrol system of claim 18, wherein a surface of the channel portionincludes a cross-sectional geometry selected from the group consistingof rounded, angular and combinations thereof.